Centre's focus shifts to AP!

10 Janpath is buzzing with activities—what with several senior leaders from the state rushing to Delhi for talks. It looks like the Centre (read Sonia) has now shifted focus to Andhra Pradesh. How else would you explain the series of meetings being held between the CM and several union leaders? Reports suggest that the Congress High Command is gearing up for revamp of the existing leadership in Andhra Pradesh.

The Centre is reportedly set to make some drastic changes in the state politics.

Reports coming from AICC suggest that there will be changes in Pradesh Congress Committee hierarchy. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who was summoned by the the High Command to New Delhi had to field a number of questions.

It is learnt that the Centre expressed its dissatisfaction with the CM over his governance in the state as well as the party's prospects. The Centre strongly questioned the CM on the Telangana issue, suspension of MLAs and how the controversial 26 GO could affect the government.

The infighting between CM and Botsa is a known fact. CM got a chance to complain against the PCC chief to the High Command.

Botsa's conflicting words and haste sayings have troubled the government in the state. Also, several allegations against Botsa such as his involvement in the liquor scandal and the ACB case against him are being used by the opposition to spread negative publicity about him and the party (Congress).

Kiran provided a detailed report on the extent of damage the party's image suffered in the wake of Botsa's hasty statements. The CM is also learnt to have submitted details on cases against Botsa to Sonia Gandhi.

The Centre also questioned the CM on the arrest of MIM brothers and Shankar Rao, sources said.
On the other hand, Botsa's rivals also intensified lobbying against him on Monday in New Delhi. Sources in the AICC strongly state that  there are changes in the guards.

At the behest of the Congress High Command, Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday rushed to Delhi and held busy consultations with the party's Central leadership, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Soon after reaching Delhi in the morning, Kiran Reddy drove straight to the residence of Ghulam Nabi Azad, where they spoke for over one-and-half hours on various issues.

Later, the CM had a 30-minute long meeting with Sonia and her political secretary Ahmed Patel at her 10 Janpath residence

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister also met President Pranab Mukherjee and held discussions with him for about thirty minutes.

His next meeting was with the AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh and treasurer Motilal Vora. Besides, the CM also met new Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at 9.15 pm.

Among sevral issues that came up for discussion during the meeting, changes in the PCC hierarchy figured prominently, it is learnt.

The High Command also seems to have discussed about other pending cases against several Congress leaders in the state. Sonia is believed to have told the CM that with the elections fast approaching, the differences between him and Botsa is not good for the party.

During the meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Kiran was accompanied by ASIB chief Sajjanar and Chowhan. The CM reportedly told them that the party will become strong in the state if the PCC chief and structure was changed.  Botsa's latest announcement of suspending nine Congress legislators was also a topic of discussion at CM's Delhi meet. Another rival camp of Botsa also intensified their lobbying at the Centre to replace him.

Union minister K Chirnajeevi also met Rahul Gandhi and soon after his meeting with Rahul, minister Kanna Lakshinarayana met Chiranjeevi.

Chirnajeevi who was close to Botsa changed his route soon after he became a union minister. It is learnt that Chiru proposed Kanna's name to Rahul as PCC chief.

Kanna also met Rahul Gandhi and P. Chidambaram.  In view of all these political developments, the High Command is focused on making changes in the state. But if the changes will begin with the replacement of the PCC chief is unknown.

The Centre also questioned CM on how the government would be affected by the Controversial 26 GOs case, where several ministers from the party are directly involved. They also discussed on the strategy they would implement at the time of budget session.

-Siva@sakshipost.com